Wallet of unitary construction



Dec. 18, 1956 D. B. HOUGHTON 2,774,404

WALLET OF UNITARY CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 22, 1955 David B. Houghfan IN VEN TOR.

Dec. 18, 1956 D. s. HOUGHTON 2,774,404

WALLET OF UNITARY CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 56 2 0 70 /8 /4 Fig. 4 54 l IIIIII/Illlllll'lllllqllllllllqflllllilqllllllli'fi Dflw'd B. Houghfan INVENTOR.

United States Patent WALLET 0F UNITARY CONSTRUCTION David B. Houghton, Leslie, Ark.

Application November 22, 1955, Serial N 0. 548,335

Claims. (Cl. 15038) This invention generally relates to a wallet and more specifically relates to a wallet constructed of unitary construction and including a built-in secret pocket together with a novel arrangement whereby the entire Wallet is formed from a single piece of suitable material having a novel arrangement of elements to permit assembly of the wallet with the elements coacting to form the desired construction.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wallet of unitary construction including a generally rectangular member foldable along a plurality of parallel spaced fold lines for forming a wallet having a secret pocket formed by the panels of the wallet together with a novel key carrying means and change purse.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wallet construction having a readily removable card carrying case.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide' a wallet constructed in such a manner that no stitching, gluing or the like is necessary or used in the construction of the wallet thereby permitting the wallet to be constructed in a relatively thin and compact manner.

Other objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease of operation, compactness, versatility and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereiuafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: v i

Figure l is a perspective view of the wallet of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view-of the wallet in open position;

Figure 3 is a plan view similar to Figure 2 with parts of the wallet being moved to an open position;

Figure 4'is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantiallyupon a-plane passing along section line 414 V of Figure Zillustrating the details of jconstructioniof the wallet;

Figure 5 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 of Figure 2 illustrating further structural details of the wallet;

Figure 6 is atransverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 6-6 of Figure 3 illustrating the details of construction of the card carrying case and the fastening means therefor;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the blank of material from which the wallet of the present invention is formed; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of the card carrying panel which is assembled with the wallet of the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the wallet of the present invention which may be either a type of wallet especially 2,774,404 Patented Dec. 18, 1956 adapted for mens use or for womens use whereby the wallet may be formed of any suitable material or color depending upon the use of the wallet.

Referring now specifically to Figure 7, it will be seen that the numeral 12 generally designates the blank of material from which the wallet 10 of the present invention is constructed.

The blank 12 is generally rectangular in shape and constructed from a unitary piece of material and includes a back panel 14, a front panel 16, a first intermediate panel 18 and a second intermediate panel 20. The back and front panels 14 and 16 are connected along a longitudinal fold line 22 which forms the bottom of the wallet 10 and the first intermediate panel is'connected to the back panel by a fold line 24 which forms the top edge of the wallet 10 and the second intermediate panel 20 is connected tothe front panel 16 by a fold line 26 which also forms the top edge of the wallet whereby the facing surfaces of the intermediate panels 18 and 20 form the receptacle portion of the Wallet for receiving paper money wherein these facing surfaces are both of finished material. The lower edge of the second intermediate panel 20 may be tapered as indicated by the numeral 28 for facilitating the positioning thereof and the lower edge of the first intermediate panel is free from the back panel 14 whereby a secret pocket may be formed between the first intermediate panel 18 and the back panel 14 for positioning paper money or similar articles therein in concealed relation.

The back panel 14 is provided with a tab 30 on one end and an interlocking tab 32 on the other end and the intermediate panel 18 is provided with an interlocking tab 34 on one end thereof remote from the interlocking tab 32 on the back panel 14.

The interlocking tabs 32 and 34 are each provided with double or spaced inwardly extending anchor slits 36 which are inclined inwardly and towards the center of the respective tabs 32 and 34.

The front panel 16 is provided with a pair of transverse slits 38 adjacent each end thereof forming transversely elongated loops 46 adjacent each end thereof for receiving the tabs 32 and 34. The free end portions of the tabs 32 and 34 are inserted under the respective loops 40 with the outermost edge of the outermost slit 36 en gaging the inner edge of the loop 40 and the innermost slit 36 engaging the outer edge of the outer slit 38 which forms the loop 40 and the portion of the tabs 32' and'34 U between the slits 36 which is designated by the numeral 42 is disposed in underlying relation to the front panel 16 at the ends of the loops 40 thereby forming a'double anchor for the interlocking tabs 32 and 34 so that the tabs 32 and 34 will be securely locked to the front panel 16. 1 The front panel 16 is provided with a pair of smaller transverse slits 44 forming a .small key retaining loop 46 adjacent the interlockingloop, 40Jwhereinthe. loop 46 is disposed in underlying relation to the tab 34 for positioning and partially concealing the key 48 as specifically illustrated in Figure 3.

The front panel 16 is provided with a cut-out area i 50 immediately inwardly of the fastening loop 44) whereand forms a change purse when the free end of the tab 32 is secured to the front panel 16 by snap fastening means 52 substantially as illustrated in Figure 3. I

The free endof the tab 30 on the'back panel 14 is provided with one half of a snap fastener 54 and the other half of a snap fastener 56 is provided on the back panel 14 adjacent the tab 32 wherein the tab 30 will bridge the free end of the Wallet 10 when in folded condition with the tab 30 retaining the wallet 19 in folded condition with the snap fastener portions 54 and 56 being detachably engaged.

V principles of the invention. 7 modifications and changes will readily occur t o' those skilled in the art it is not desired to limit the invention to'the exact con struction and operation shown and de-' T front P 11 11 s Pro d th a rans rs sli I 58 adjacent the center thereof and the panel 16 as well as the second intermediate panel is provided with spaced apertures :60 adjacent the transverse- -slit 58. Also, the interlocking tab 34 on the first intermediate panel 18 is provided with a relatively small slit 62 adjacent its junc: ture line with the intermediate panel 18. a

An elongated card enclosing panel 64'is provided with a small projecting lip or tab 66 at one 'end thereo'f and V openings 68 adjacent the center thereof whereby the panel ;64 is inserted through the slit 5 8land the tab 66' is insertedthrough the slit 62' for assembling the panel 4 mo e fr m he tab Q the fir nt m d pane sa d tab on the other end ofsaid back panel adapted tobn'dge the free ends of the wallet for retaining the wallet. in folded relation. 1 i f 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said. interlocking means includes .a' pair of transverse slits adjacent 7 each end of the front panel forming a pair of loops, each interlocking tab including double anchor slits on each edge with the anchor slits receivingftheend edge POI? tions of the loops with the outer edge 'of the outermost anchor slit engaging the inner edge of the loop and the .64 on the wallet 10, Theapertures 68 are disposed in alignment with the apertures 6 fi'f o r receiving a U-shaped element 70 having the bight portion underlying thejsecond intermediate panel and the'legs thereof extending through the panel 2ilias well as the panel 16 and the panel 64. The free ends offthe legs'of the fastenersj :flilare interconnected byg'a' spring member'lZ having one V L end th 'ereof detachable under a hook 14 whereby a generally'U-shaped card'carrying case 76-n'1 ay be retained therein or. removed therefrom as desired. The free end' of the lip 76 and the. other end of the panel 64 a'reprovided with interconnecting snapfastener portions 78 for detachably retaining the 'card carrying panel 64in po-, "sition as illustrated in Figure 4'which will also hide the f key 48 disposed behind the loop 46 substantially as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. V V

impractical use of the invention, the Wallet 10. is formed froni'the blank'12 without the use'of adhesive; stitching or similar fastening means and forms a compact wallet which may be complete disassembled when desired and the specific construction of the interlocking tabsproyides a double anchor for the panels of the'wallet' and the change purse, key holder, secret pocket and card carrying case all cooperate to form a unitary construction which is compact and easy to use.

a The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the Further, since numerous scribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents maybe resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed; V V .Wh'at is claimed as new is' as follows:

j g 1. A wallet comprising a'back paneLaJfront panel,

- frontpanel and disposedagainstthe innerfsurface-there. of, an outwardly extending tab on each end o'f'saidba'ckf V panel, slit. means on'saidfront panel" for interlocin'g .enj gagement with the tab on one .endof the back panel, V V

saidftab onith'e other end ofthe back panel. adapted to a firs t in termediate'panel, and a second. intermediate the front-panel," and disposed against the inner surface ".:thereof, an outwardly extending tab on each end of said 'back panel, an outwardly: extending tab on one end of said first intermediate panel, means onsaid-frontpanel e for interlocking engagement:with. the tab onithe first in Vj t errnediate panel and'th'e tab on the end of the back panel panel, said backandfront panel being connected along the lower edges thereof, the first intermediate panel being connected'to the top edge of the backpanel and disposed against the inner surface thereof; the second in- 't errnedi'a te 'paneli being connected td'the' top edgeof outer edge of the. innermost anchor slit engaging the V outer edge of the outermost transverse slit with the por- 'tion :of the tabbetween the anchor slitsunderlying the front panel at the ends of the loop.

3. The combination of 'claimvl wherein said other tab; on the back'panel isprovided 'with a portion of a snap" fastener, and another portion of a snap fastenerprojecting from the back panel remote from theother tab 'for selectively retaining the other tab in encircling relation :to the freee'nds oftheiwallet when folded. i V V I 4. The combination of clain i'l wherein said interlock: ing means includes a pair of transverse slits adjacent each end of the front panel forming a pair of loops, eachinter locking tab including double anchor slits on each edge .with the anchor slits receiving the end edgeportions 'of the loops with the outer edge of the outermost anchor slit engaging the inner edge of" the loop and the outer edge of the innermostfanchor slit engaging the outer edge,

of the outermost transverse slit with the portion of the a 1 tab between-theanchor slits,underlyinglthefront panel., V Y

at the ends. of the loop,:s'aid front panel'having a small 1 loopadjacent to and underlying thetab'on the first inter; V, V mediate panel for forming a key r'etainingloop, said front w panel including a cut-out area underlying the interlocking tab on the back panel for forminga change carrying purse 5. A wallet comprising'a back panel, a' front paneL-P' a first intermediatepan'el, and aisecond intermediate, panel, said back and front panelbeing connected along the lower edges thereof, the first intermediate panel be ing connected to the top edge of. the back panel and disposed "against the inner surface thereoljithe second in= V tcrmediate panel being connected tothe top .edge of the bridge the free ends of' the walletl releasable positioning; against the outer s urface of the back panel thusretainin g the wallet in'folded relation;

References Citedinth'e iile astringentf l :uN iTED STAIESPATVENTS 

